Founders Breakfast Stout - Founders Brewing Company

dejrrma

Georgia

4.48/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

64 oz growler from Ale Yeah, around $19 with tax. Poured into a pint glass.

a- pours a jet black, with less than half an inch of head that quickly separates into a thing ring around the glass. leaves little to no lacing behind.

s- strong cofffee/espresso with a roasted character, very bitter chocolate.

t- and it tastes just like that bitter chocolate i smelled, but way more intense. the coffee definitely comes through very strongly mixed with some burnt malt. it finishes with some hoppiness at the end.

m- medium body and carbonation that contribute to making this a very smooth and creamy stout. both dry and sweet at the same time and leaves you wanting more.

o- i've had this in 4-packs before for around $10 and it tastes just as good. i think i made a small mistake paying $19 for a 64 oz growler, but not one i regret by any means. i'll take this beer any day - on tap, from a growler, bottled, or out of a boot. it's delicious.

Serving type: growler

02-06-2012 00:17:34 | More by dejrrma

david370

Georgia

4.72/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a growler into as pint glass

Jet black with a creamy tan head leaving lots of lacing

Lots of coffee,chocolate in the aroma

The first sip was amazing.Very creamy brew that coated my mouth.Got a wonderful coffee flavor on the back end.It got better as it warmed,really is a nice brew

Serving type: growler

01-14-2012 21:42:35 | More by david370

MikeyMikee

New York

4.58/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Growler served at fridge temp.

A- Pitch black body with a dark brown head. Really tiny bown bubbles.

S- Rich, coffee with sweet chocolate undertones, the kind of aroma you would expect in a chocolate, coffee oatmeal stout lol. The aroma is deep though...very, very rich coffee with slight caramel and toffee with a touch of a roasted quality.

T- Dark chocolate takes a front seat. It's a bitter dark chocolate with perhaps some bitterness comming from the hops. Roasted coffee does come through but the bitterness makes it seem more like espresso. Some hop flavor does manage to shine through as well. There is a bit of a grassy hop flavor hidden in there.

M- Perfection. Full bodied with perfect carbonation. So smooth but finishes perfectly bitter from the combo of coffee and hops. Velvety, very smooth, and extremely drinkable for almost 9% alcohol.

O- Really well crafted beer. Very drinkable and all of the flavors are so well balanced. As it warms everything really comes through. Just plain awesome, I've had this beer for both breakfast and dessert and it has never disappointed. Really great on a cold night as well.

Serving type: growler

12-05-2011 02:29:51 | More by MikeyMikee

albertjr21

New York

4.7/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

From a growler and into a tulip, stout pours the expected black color under a well sustained khaki head. Aroma is certainly that of bitter chocolate, fresh ground coffee and herbal hops. Quite an alluring nose. Deep and dark roast coffee ground flavor that is nicely held in check by a fair amount of sweetness. Coffee bitterness and acidity are there but are delivered with a creamy smoothness and subtle carbonation. Dry notes of rich earthy chocolate fudge ice cream resonate on the palate long after the finish. I'm highly considering this to pair with holiday desserts this year. Coffee lovers, beware--there's a reason it's called "Breakfast Stout"...

Serving type: growler

11-20-2011 20:38:41 | More by albertjr21

cuttsjp

New Jersey

4.55/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

So excited to get a growler of this from Joe Canal's in Lawrenceville, NJ! Totes awesome.

Appearance: Jet black with a finger of fluffy foam the color of good chocolate mousse

Aroma: amazing bittersweet mocha aroma...I almost literally feel like I'm smelling/drinking a delicious mocha, but with more toffee/caramel malt depth to it

Taste: you know how coffee beans smell so amazing and as good as coffee is it will never taste as good as it smells? yeah that's not a problem here. amazing roasty coffee character, tons of bittersweet chocolate flavor, and lots of nice bitterness to round it out. far from cloyingly sweet...the sweetness is actually pretty minimal given a beer this big, but it's just enough to round the whole thing out.

Mouthfeel: silky and delightful, full and chewy but refreshing

Overall: wow, what a wonderful imperial stout, and amazingly easy to drink given the ABV and bitterness. an amazing dessert beer that I feel privileged to try. will definitely try to brew the published clone recipe of this sometime down the road

Serving type: growler

11-16-2011 02:58:45 | More by cuttsjp

deadonhisfeet

Kentucky

4.35/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The beer is a sinister-looking pitch black syrupy liquid with a light brown head. The nose has roasted notes, coffee, and chocolate and reminds me of those little chocolate-coated espresso beans people munch on.

Strong, roasted malt flavors with wonderful attributes of bittersweet chocolate and coffee. Super smooth, creamy mouthfeel and a nice faint zing of hops. The coffee and chocolate flavors are very nicely balanced - I don't think either predominates. I also detect a bit of spiciness underneath all that toasted malt - possibly allspice. It is reminiscent of Southern Tier's Mokah, but not nearly as sweet.

Overall, a wonderful drinking experience. Every sip seems to taste a little bit different. As the beer warms a bit, the coffee flavors seem to develop and strengthen a bit, but they never become overly bitter and unpleasant. I cracked open the growler Saturday afternoon and finished it Sunday morning with breakfast. Awesome!

Further notes - I recently had the latest release of this beer (bottled) and realized I had forgotten just how bitter it can be when fresh. What's remarkable is that despite the bitterness, it is still incredibly delicious. It is as if Founders has accomplished with coffee and chocolate in this beer what the great IIPAs accomplish with hop selection and yeast treatment.

Serving type: growler

09-25-2011 15:36:37 | More by deadonhisfeet

Brianjames16

New York

5/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A- Pours a beautiful dark dark brown with a very small amount of head. The lack of head may be because it was sitting in the growler for a few days. Still a great looking beer.

S- The aroma is amazing on this brew! HUGE notes of coco, coffe and roasted malts hit the nose right away. The alcohol seems to be hidden under all these delicious notes.

T- Perfect balance of warm flavors and hop bitterness in the finish. Robust dark coffe blended with delicate subtilties make this big brew a pleasesnt drinker. In the finish im getting some decent hop bitterness. The amazing flavors coat the mouth and hang around. The high ABV is well hidden.

M- This is a big bodied beer with a huge appetizing flavor.

O- A similar experience that I had with KBS but with different characteristics. All positive. Nothing negative. Way to go Founders! Again!

Serving type: growler

09-13-2011 05:16:33 | More by Brianjames16

RocPorterFanatic

Ohio

5/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours rich dark brown, almost black into a pint glass, with a thick, pillow of off white head, capped with cocoa highlights.

The smell, oh the heavenly smell... Dark Roast coffee, slightly smokey, dark chocolate and an ever so slight hint of leather. This is what heaven must smell like.

The taste is unbelievable. So many flavors, heavy on the coffee and chocolate, with that smokiness again. There's a little black licorice in the background. Every sip intensifies the flavors as this elixir of the Gods coats the tongue.

The mouthfeel is very pleasant. Slightly peppery from the carbonation, but mouth-coating as any viscous RIS I've ever had.

This is hands down the best beer I've ever tasted. I've had it time and time again, and I crave it when I am without it.

This particular growler came direct from Founders Brewery moments after it went on tap.

Serving type: growler

08-02-2011 23:36:00 | More by RocPorterFanatic

welldigger888

South Carolina

4.8/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours an opaque black with a nice dark khaki head that recedes quickly leaving ample lacing on glass.
Subdued roasty grain with some chocolate and coffee like notes,Sweet creamy like aromas as well.
WOW, SMOOTH roasty malt chocolatey coffee that gives way to a hint of pleasing bitter and very creamy balanced bitter finish!!! WOW, again!
Super smooth creamy mouthful O' goodness! The carbonation is right in the pocket!
This is one helluva decietful guzzla for sure, one after another till I hit the floor! TOO SMOOTH, stay away you will be sorry & more for me. LOL seek & drink enough said. Oh yeah, it's fat tuesday Y'all have fun & boogie!!!

Serving type: growler

03-09-2011 03:34:05 | More by welldigger888

patm1986

New Jersey

4.53/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

from my notes, 1 Jan 2011

breakfast stout and spelt pancakes 10am

a- oil. black abyss with an outer bronze head/ring.

s- coffee, burnt toast, caramel, dark chocolate. brown biscuits after a swirl--biscuits with brown butter and brown sugar, try them!

t- i'm not a coffee drinker at all. at all. this is SUPERB. it tastes like a glass of burnt chocolate, black coffee, and un-sulfured molasses.

m- smooth. oh, it's smooth. at room temperature or outdoor chilled--as we did--it's so creamy and warming. this stout coats the mouth fully, leaving a loving amount to encourage the next sip.

d- actually incredible. actually incredible. didn't think you could have several 8oz glasses of this, but with pancakes upon rise, this is a pleasant beverage to mini-session.

this is an elite beer. elite with food, too.

Serving type: growler

02-26-2011 04:35:39 | More by patm1986

Tilley4

Tennessee

4.18/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

What a deliciously creamy brew this is... Loaded with coffee chocolatey goodness... Intense aromas of dark rich coffee and bitter chocolate..

Smooth richness blend of coffee and cocoa.... Very rich and intense... Overpowering taste and aroma...

A delicious beer... Terrific... World class.

Serving type: growler

02-07-2011 20:21:34 | More by Tilley4

MWellington

New Jersey

4.68/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

First review...and it's a good beer to start with I reckon. Poured from a tap into a clear growler at the liquor store I work at, then poured into my 20oz Culinary Institute of America glass.

Appearance: Probably one of the darkest beers I've ever seen. It came out nice though, decent 2 finger head with lacing throughout the glass during consumption.

Smell: Coffee, Roasted Malts, etc. It was drank Christmas night so I'm having trouble remembering.

Taste: Like a Milk Stout, with notes of Coffee, don't think I got too much Chocolate.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, light, easy drinking, not heavy like I expected.

Drinkability: Very Easy Drinking, I plan on getting a 4-pack of it this weekend.

I highly recommend this beer if you have it near your house.
Cheers!

Serving type: growler

12-29-2010 03:37:27 | More by MWellington

MuddyMcGinny

New Jersey

4.75/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

64 oz. Growler into a English nonic.

Whoa! Pours Black Sabbath black, firm and syrupy with little head that forms slowly. Minimal froth is espresso red/brown with little carbonation. Very subtle dark ruby ring at the crown. Smell of rich dark coffee, malt and some smoke.

Coffee bitterness and chocolate with a really nice bite on first sip, Sumatra/Kona combo makes for a real robust flavor without much lingering bitter in the aftertaste... but the second pour is off the charts! Once the buds adjust the bite gives way to a smooth creaminess that makes this puppy extremely drinkable.

Lots o' muscle. Brings me back to my old Brooklyn days of a Manhattan Special without the extreme bitterness and carbonation. The two growlers I scored from Joe Canals Woodbridge NJ was a gift from the beer gods. Lashed it back while groovin' the Macpodz! Real good stuff coming out of Michigan!! One of my knock 'em out most favorite beers to date.

Serving type: growler

12-12-2010 01:23:28 | More by MuddyMcGinny

JoeBloe

New York

4.8/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

ok - i've had this a couple of times a couple of ways when traveling out of state over the years - and now founders is finally distributing in NY -
i brought a couple of 4pks into work last week and poured a few glasses to give to the crew to try - the response was overwhelmingly incredible --"what IS this?' 'where did you get it?'
"can you get me some" "i don't think i can drink anything else now that i've tried this! " were some of the comments - beer advocacy rules!
also,one of the best labels in the industry
the next day i stopped by decicco's in ardsley to pick up a couple more 4pks for the guys and to my amazement there's FBS on the growler fill station! -

pours thick and black and puts up a nice thick 2 finger tan head and laces nicely on the way down -
smells roasty(?) with coffee and dark chocolate
taste is very nice up front with coffee flavors and chocolate with a slightly bitter finish that begs for the next sip
feels nice on the tongue and pallete, like a good quality dark chocolate -
drinkability is amazingly good - to quote a beer store employee who saw my purchase - "that stuff is like crack" - i want to sip this all day long -

very well deserving of its standing as #8 best beer on planet earth

Serving type: growler

10-25-2010 19:35:29 | More by JoeBloe

garuda

Pennsylvania

4.55/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A - Super deep brown, not quite black with a billowing brown head that has good retention, and gobs of lacing down the glass.

S - A touch of grassy hops, but then its all rich roasted coffee with a touch of dark chocolate.

T - Rich dark chocolate, then milk chocolate, and finishes with a big blast of roasted coffee.

M - Full body, delicate low carbonation, super smooth and creamy across the palate with a touch of dark chocolate bitterness in the aftertaste.

D - Turns into a sipper after a glass, but the taste and mouthfeel are excellent. Full body, but it never gets "chewy" or syrupy. Well done. I will get this again.

Serving type: growler

10-15-2010 00:15:31 | More by garuda

chinchill

South Carolina

4.39/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served in 4oz glass

A- nearly opaque. Brownish black.

Superb example of Imperial Coffee stout. Excellent balance of tastes with clear presence of coffee, malt and hops, and with both sweet and bitter components. Highly complex and dynamic flavors. Subtle chocolate flavor. Exceptionally smooth both while drinking and in finish.

S - Aroma is much lighter and softer than expected for such a highly flavorful brew. Primary aroma: Malty roasted coffee

Excellent, nearly the best stout I've ever had but bested by Founders CSB

Serving type: growler

10-09-2010 17:43:40 | More by chinchill

dayswonder

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

When I poured it from the growler it looked wonderful. The head just kept growing as I poured. The color of the head is a warm caramel color. Smell has notes of mocha.
The taste...Oh the taste is glorious! Absolutely amazing in my mouth it was like an explosion of flavors. Dark chocolate notes, coffee, and a little bitter towards the end. It's a good bitter though. The mouth feel is very silky and smooth. Overall it goes down smooth and lacing occurs down the whole glass. First time ever trying this beer and so far it's one of my favorite stouts.

Serving type: growler

09-25-2010 23:32:27 | More by dayswonder

bigfnjoe

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a growler into a perfect pint.

A- pours pitch black with a 3 finger brown head. Lacing is perfect, all the way up the glass. Gorgeous

S- strong, dark coffee with slight hints of cocoa and roasted malts. I'd like a tad bit more cocoa and a little less coffee...that's my only complaint. Super strong and brilliant

T- I hope you like coffee, because that's what you're getting out of this one. Tons upon tons upon tons of coffee, and almost nothing but. Getting hints of roasted malts, but no real sweetness as I'd want from some chocolate...a little bit of a disappointment there

M- its actually not thick and syrupy at all, which took me by surprise a little bit. I expected a thick slush...it was a lot thinner than I expected, but there was still some body to it.

D- I expected more out of this, but its still a really good beer. Could have been balanced out a little more IMO

Serving type: growler

09-24-2010 21:12:15 | More by bigfnjoe

jsanford

Georgia

4.5/5  rDev -0.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is my 1st official BA review, so I wanted to choose a good one. Poured into my trusty New Belgium globe glass from a CBX-filled growler. Right around 55 degrees.

A - Dark inky black, 3/4 inch milk-chocolate mousse head with good retention. Leaves a nice swirl in the center and a foamy ring around the edge of the glass

S - Sweet roasted coffee and bitter chocolate, slight oatmeal, slight vanilla. Wonderful.

T - Spot on with the nose. Bold roasted coffee. Cocoa powder. No real hop flavor but there's a definite bitterness. Great balance between some very strong aspects.

M - Chewy. Slightly thin with a wonderful carbonation that tickles the back of your throat as it goes down. Smooth.

D - Could easily drink this all night/day if not for the ABV. Definitely gets better as it warms up, much of the bitterness fades and the flavors meld together nicely.

This is one of my favorite beers from my absolute favorite brewery. Obviously doesn't get the hype that its cousins get but where KBS is a special-occasion beer, I never feel bad about pulling out one of these on a whim (especially with some bacon and eggs)!

Serving type: growler

04-21-2010 21:17:04 | More by jsanford

peabody

Kentucky

4.85/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours out really thick and black. Very slight bubbles but I poured it really slow. Been in the Growler for 4 days.
Smell is charred malt and coffee bean. Some chocolate but it's dark and very creamy smelling.
Taste is just mellow as it can be. Wonderful cherry and dark black bitterness with a sweet maltyness combines all at once. What is left is a bitter blackness that sticks around for a long time.
Mouthfeel is very clean at first then a sticky bitter-sweet takes over till the end.
Drinkability is just perfect here. I want to drink this whole growler.
I think this is just as good and probably better than the bottle. Glad Kane at Roof Brothers in Paducah, Ky got ahold of this keg.

Serving type: growler

11-06-2009 00:51:05 | More by peabody

movingtrain

Ohio

4.55/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Picked up a growler of Breakfast Stout at Party Town in Florence, KY. Poured into a snifter.

Pours black, with a light creamy tan head.

Smells of coffee, bitter chocolate, molasses...some super dark malty notes here...and very coffee-like. Sweet on the nose, but not overly sweet smelling.

Taste is amazing...dark chocolate, dark roasted coffee. The alcohol is coming through, but not overpowering. Some hints of vanilla, pepper, and some other spices...

Overall, this stout is incredible. It's dry, but not too dry. It has some sweet notes, and the coffee flavor lingers for a long time. The mouthfeel is a little light...but is incredibly drinkable and remarkably balanced.

Serving type: growler

09-12-2009 18:14:28 | More by movingtrain

Gmann

New York

4.33/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a black color, with a dense chocolate milk looking head that settled into a sparse cap. The aroma is of mocha, moderate coffee and milk chocolate, some charred wood and hints of smoke. Big roasted malt flavor, bitter chocolate and strong coffee, some wet wood and smoke, a bit ashy, as well as some vinous flavors. The feel is starts off chewy but seems to get lighter towards the end, seems to tail off. Soft carbonation leads to a creamy feel; finishes bitter. A very flavorful stout, good range of roasted malt, chocolate, and wood.

Serving type: growler

05-17-2009 01:02:35 | More by Gmann

joerodiii

New York

4.05/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Growler from BigZ in Huntington, NY.

Thick, dark black with no hints of any color. Aroma of roasted malts and chocolate.

The stout tastes like it smells, roastey with a touch of chocolate. It is a little too bitter for my tastes, but it still works. The mouthfeel is perfect, slightly thick but not syrupy. I would love to try a nitro version of this beer.

Serving type: growler

01-26-2009 22:21:17 | More by joerodiii

LilBeerDoctor

New York

4/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle courtesy of iowaherkeye. Pours black with a dark tan head that dissipates rapidly. Aroma of coffee predominantly, followed by roasted malt, nuts, and rich sweet malt. Flavor of coffee roast, peanuts, some burnt malt. Solid body. Great beer (it didn't awe me though). 8/4/7/4/16

Rerate 11/23/08. Growler. Pours black with a small tan head that fades rapidly. Aroma of roasted malt, coffee, and roasted nuts. Flavor of sweet roasted malt and lots of coffee and nuts. Tasty and very drinkable for an imperial stout. Nice coffee presence. Lots of chocolate peanut butter. Yum!
Aroma: 8/10
Appearance: 4/5
Flavor: 8/10
Palate: 4/5
Overall: 16/20
4.0/5

Serving type: growler

11-23-2008 03:13:52 | More by LilBeerDoctor

jojox

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Growler from The Drafting Room, review from notes.

a - not much CO2, probably because of the growler. Super black. 1 molecule thick head but stable! Very black in color

s - coffee, chocolate, raisins, red fruit, molassis. Smells delicious. Toffee. No hops, not a hint.

t - rich and bitter coffee stout. Very good. Solid flavors, very rich and strong, but not very complex or complicated (although it's pretty cold). Bitter from coffee.

m - not smooth, more rough from bitterness, but not unpleasant.

d - let's see: I've got a whole growler!

Great! - drank *6* glasses!

Serving type: growler

11-22-2008 17:04:09 | More by jojox